The wild origin of cats plays, this time, against us. Due to this factor, certain feline ailments are difficult to detect. Why? What can we do to identify them? Here are some tricks to help you see certain symptoms.
The domestic cat we share our lives with today comes from the African wild cat. This animal, a native of North Africa, could not afford to show symptoms of illness or pain in order to appear stronger. In fact, when he was sick or in pain he used to hide to avoid being seen. If the cat was weak, it could go from hunter to prey automatically.
It is evident that during the domestication process the cat underwent important changes in its behavior that included the enrichment of communication. However, experts agree that these changes were not anointed in the manifestation of pain.
This fact is translated into the following sentence: detecting pain or certain feline diseases is quite complicated. Even so, there are some pervasive behaviors that can indicate an ailment, according to veterinarians. Here are eleven symptoms that can indicate feline disease and that humans should know by heart.
If your kitty begins to show any of these symptoms, a trip to the vet is a must, ASAP!
1. Inability to evacuate or urinate
If your cat is suddenly unable to urinate or have a bowel movement, something is definitely not right. This symptom could be caused by a urinary blockage, which is life threatening. If your cat is unable to expel stool, it may just be constipated, but it is better to be safe and call the vet.
2. Continual vomiting or severe diarrhea
The vomiting and occasional diarrhea happen to all pets. But if your kitty has vomited or had diarrhea multiple times in a row, is not eating, seems lethargic, or is just not acting like usual, she definitely needs to be examined. You may have swallowed something you shouldn’t have, or it could be a sign of a metabolic condition.
3. Mouth breathing.
While this could occur naturally during a stressful time or incident, if your cat is panting when it should be relaxed, there could be an underlying problem. Open-nosed breathing in cats can be a symptom of very serious conditions, including heart failure and certain types of cancer. Shortness of breath is also something that needs to be treated urgently.
4. Excessive thirst for no apparent reason (polydipsia)
While it is healthy for your cat to stay well hydrated, if he constantly returns to his water bowl over and over again – possibly accompanied by excessive urination (polyuria) – something is probably wrong. This could be a symptom of diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or other metabolic problems.
5. Change in gait or imbalance
If you notice that your cat has started to walk strangely or cannot keep his balance, you should not take it lightly. She could have ingested poison, or suffered a head or spinal injury. It could also be a symptom of an underlying disease such as diabetes or ataxia, which causes sensory dysfunction.
6. Seizures
If your kitty suddenly falls over and starts convulsing, you shouldn’t think twice about calling the vet. This is an abnormal symptom that could be caused by many things, including epilepsy, ingestion of a poison, certain types of cancer, injuries, and more.
7. Lethargy or collapse
If your cat stops moving almost completely, hides for long periods of time, collapses, or stops reacting to stimuli, you should see an emergency vet.
8. Loss of appetite
If your cat is usually hungry, and suddenly loses interest in food and water, this could indicate intestinal blockages, organ failure, or other illnesses. Don’t ignore your cat’s loss of appetite.
9. Paralysis
While this could be the result of physical injury, it can also be a symptom of internal illness. Rear end paralysis can point to aortic thromboembolism, or ATE. One report says: “ATE is a complication of heart disease in cats, in which a blood clot lodges (usually) in the hind legs. ” It can also be accompanied by signs of distress and pain.
10. Unexplained weight loss
If your kitty has been losing weight without changing her lifestyle, something is probably wrong. It could be because he is not eating, which in itself is a red flag. But if you’re eating normally and still losing weight, it could be a symptom of an underlying disease like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, parasites, or other causes.
11. Excess meowing or moaning
Although cats tend to hide pain very well (as we already know), some can express their extreme discomfort by crying and meowing. If your kitty has been “talking” more than usual – or even if her meows have started to sound different than usual – you should plan a visit to the vet. You know your cat better than anyone, so it’s important to trust your instincts if you think something is wrong.
Remember that you know your cat better than anyone. Therefore, when you notice that something is going differently, don’t forget to take it to the vet for a check-up.
